|
|
|
|
PCExpo 1998 June 22, 1998 New York, NY. We had a look at the future of computing at PCExpo, the annual show held this week at the Jacob Javits Convention Center New York City. The Expo filled the huge center with displays, conferences, and demos. Here’s some of what we saw: Mobile computing was much in evidence, with an overwhelming number of super-powered, light-weight models from many manufacturers. Smaller hand-held computers, not much larger than a pencil case, now have many of the capabilities of their desktop counterparts, including the ability to run almost any Windows 95 application. The most exciting advances are in the palm-sized computers. We looked at new models from Everex, Uniden and Casio, each running Windows 95 CE programs. In addition to the usual scheduling and address book functions, various models of these tiny wonders offer sophisticated handwriting and voice recognition, e-mail and fax send and receive options (some even wireless with an attachment, and the Uniden with a built-in fax/modem). The older Palm Pilot, now in version III, sports a large number of programs from independent vendors. These programs extend its capabilities to GPS tracking and mapping, scanning business cards, spreadsheet functions and much more. All these Palm computers will synchronize data files with your desktop computer via wireless, infrared, modem or wired connection. Data storage will take on a new look soon with the formation of a multi-member industry group to standardize the DVD+RW (digital versatile disk + read write) format. Expect to see the first units before the end of the year. The DVD+RW will hold 3.1 gigabytes of data, which equals the storage capacity of 2,000+ of the 1.44 MG, 3.5 inch floppies commonly used today. The still-new CD-RW format (compact disk-read write, holding 650 MG of data) can’t be counted out yet and may end up being the economical storage or data transfer media of choice. Flat screen, light-weight LCD monitors that are only a few inches deep were everywhere, and the quality is astounding. We looked at screens from ViewSonic, Sony, Acer, Eizo, NEC and others. NEC had a 20-inch LCD screen set up so we could see it through an aquarium tank. We had to look three times to be sure that those fish were on the monitor and not swimming in the tank. Incredible. These flat screens take up less desk space, produce less heat and can be mounted on the wall or in many convenient positions. Some come with built-in speakers or video cameras and can be easily used in either landscape or portrait orientation. Prices have dropped dramatically since last year, although they’re still fairly expensive: 15" models run around $1,500, and 14" models for as low as $889. An interesting new product comes from Cross Pen company: CrossPad, which lets you write freehand notes, doodle, draw charts, diagrams and such on an 8.5 x 11 inch pad of paper held on a clipboard-like device. You write or draw with a special ball point pen, and it’s all recorded in the pad’s 50-page memory. You can circle words to use as keywords for searching later. You download the pages to the Ink Manager program in your computer for storage and use. Cut, paste, move and delete functions are available from the computer. The CrossPad comes with limited handwriting recognition but training is necessary for more extensive, accurate recognition. The pages can be printed, sent as e-mail, searched by keywords or stored for future use. Advances in noise canceling and sound field focusing microphones were shown by Andrea Electronics. These will be a boon for computer voice command or recognition in noisy situations such as offices, industry or autos. Can’t you just see it? "Car, start up and turn the radio to my favorite station number two." Some other new products: 2000 ToolBox from Network Associates throughly tests your computer and its programs for Year 2000 problems and produces a log of results and solutions. System Commander from V-Comm offers insurance against Windows 98 installation problems, allowing you to reboot back into Windows 95 or Windows 3.1 if glitches in your installation occur. And Corel has added Dragon Naturally Speaking continuous speech voice recognition to WordPerfect Suite 8 (at a bargain price) for speech-enabled word processing. This is only the tip of the computing iceberg. Stay tuned for much more. |
